Will Yankees' Robinson Cano walk away after walk year?

Feb. 19, 2013
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At 30 years old, Robinson Cano is heading for a massive payday, and it's unclear whether the Yankees have the financial flexibility to give it to him. / William Perlman, The (Newark) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

by Chad Jennings, USA TODAY Sports

by Chad Jennings, USA TODAY Sports

TAMPA - Back in 2008, the New York Yankees took a four-year gamble and turned it into a six-year bargain.

Robinson Cano was not yet a superstar when he signed his first long-term contract, but he turned into one. During those four guaranteed years, he emerged as the best second baseman in baseball, and picking up a pair of club options was a no-brainer for the Yankees.

But the bargain ends at the end of this season. At 30 years old, Cano is heading for a massive payday, and it's unclear whether the Yankees have the financial flexibility to give it to him.

"I just want to go out there and perform," Cano said. "Not think about anything or put any pressure on my mind."

That was his unbreakable stance on the first day of full-squad workouts at Steinbrenner Field. Cano acknowledged that he'd like to come back to the Yankees, but otherwise deflected question after question about his contract.

Is he worried the Yankees' plan to lower their payroll will affect him?

"I'm not worried about anything right now," Cano said. "I still have one year."

Is this an opportunity to cash in on a lucrative, open-market deal?

"It's not about the money," Cano said.

But the money certainly matters.

It was almost exactly two years ago that Cano switched agents, moving from Bobby Barad to Scott Boras. He explained Monday that he made the switch because he wanted to "go with the best," but being represented by Boras brings certain expectations. Boras is well-known - notorious, even - for making massive demands and going after top-dollar deals. He's not known for hometown discounts.

The Yankees are similarly known for extravagance, but that reputation is fading in the wake of ownership's desire to stay beneath the $189 million luxury-tax limit. They've already committed nearly $80 million of next year's payroll to CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki.

They have Curtis Granderson, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda, Mariano Rivera, Kevin Youkilis, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Travis Hafner all in the final years of their contracts.

Whether Cano worries about it or not, it's worth wondering whether the Yankees will be able to plug their holes and still be able to afford next winter's top free agent.

"I love New York," Cano said. "I grew up in the Yankees' system and being around all those guys. I love New York. Why not (want to come back)?"

Cano downplayed the idea of his pending free agency becoming a distraction, and the Yankees have to hope that's the case. He's been top-six in the MVP voting each of the past three years, and with Rodriguez on the disabled list, Derek Jeter coming back from injury and age concerns throughout the lineup, Cano is the most reliable weapon in the Yankees' arsenal.

"I think you always worry a little bit about guys during contract years," manager Joe Girardi said. "Sometimes it really works out to your advantage, too. â?¦ Just knowing Robbie's personality, I think it helps him out in this situation. It's not too often we don't see Robbie have a smile on his face."